Shrestha

Shrēṣṭha (Nepali: श्रेष्ठ) is a Newar (Newar: नेवा) surname meaning "most excellent" or "Noble" in Sanskrit. Prior to the unification of modern Nepal, Shresthas served as administrators and courtiers in the court of the Malla Kings of Nepal. After the unification of Nepal, Shresthas took up business and trading since the former position as administrators and courtiers were supplanted by the invading Gorkha forces. Shresthas are now one of the most dynamic communities of Nepal and have excelled in professional careers such as medicine, civil aviation, science and technology, government service as well as finance and banking.

Language, culture and religion

Shresthas are one of the oldest community groups in Nepal. They are a part of the Newar community of Kathmandu valley. As with all Newars, their mother tongue is Nepal Bhasa. Shresthas are mostly Hindu and Buddhist. Even the Hindu Shrestha worship Buddhist shrines as part of their own religion.

According to historians, the word "Shrestha" is derived from the Nepal Bhasha word "Syashya" which is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word "Shrestha".. 'Sheshya" is likely a phonological change of a Sanskrit/Pali word "Kshetriya" meaning warrior. Syashyas served as administrators and courtiers during the rule of the Malla Newar kings that ruled Nepal for six hundred years – known as the "Golden Era" of Nepal – when much of the cultural and architectural development of Nepal took place. They took a prominent role in the governance and administration of the nation and fought against the Gorkha invasion and stopped it. They also contributed to protect their country Nepal from external powers like the Mughal and British. In the pre-historic and mid-historic periods, they used to be excellent Lhasa Newar businessmen. The honorific term "Sheshya" has been in use to refer to the community since start of Malla period. However, after rise of Shahs, tendency to use "Shrestha' as the surname instead of usual lastnames increased dramatically, especially those belonging to Panchhthare and Charthare Shresthas. Some Chhathare shresthas like 'Malla', 'RajBhandari' also use 'Shrestha' as their surname.

Main sub castes of the Sheshyas'

• ChhaThare
• PanchhThare
• ChharThare

Main Title (Surname) of Sheshyas

• Malla
• Joshi (*Also included within Newar Brahmins by some)
• Karmacharya (*Also included within Newar Brahmins by some)
• Baidya
• RajBhandari
• Mool
• Maskey
• Kayastha
• Pradhan
• Hada
• Kasajoo (also similar surnames with 'joo/ju' as suffix, from Bhaktapur)
• Gongol
• Pradhananga

Notable people

Politics and Civil Administration

• Marich Man Singh Shrestha – Prime Minister of Nepal, 1986–90
• Ganga Lal Shrestha – Politician, One of the four famous Martyr of Nepal
• Narayan Kaji Shrestha – Politician, Deputy Prime Minister, 2011–12
• Krishna Mohan Shrestha – First Inspector General of Armed Police Force (Nepal)
• Ram Prasad Shrestha – Chief Justice of Nepal, 26 March 2010 – 5 May 2011
• Om Bhakta Shrestha – Chief Justice of Nepal, 1997–98
• Govinda Bahadur Shrestha – Chief Justice of Nepal, 2003–04

Business and Entrepreneurship

• Indra Bhakta Shrestha – FNCCI President
• Pradeep Kumar Shrestha – FNCCI President
• Ravi Bhakta Shrestha – FNCCI President

Arts, Literature and Culture

• Siddhicharan Shrestha – "Yuga Kavi", one of the most prominent literary figures of Nepal
• Durga Lal Shrestha – Poet, lyricist
• Ganesh Lal Shrestha – Poet, lyricist
• Madan Krishna Shrestha – Comedian, actor, singer
• Shiva Shrestha – Actor
• Shree Krishna Shrestha – Actor
• Namrata Shrestha – Actress, model
• Sushma Shrestha – Known by stage name "Poornima", Bollywood Singer

Public Figures

• Jagat Lal Shrestha – Educator, author
• Sarita Shrestha – First Ayurvedic physician, OB/GYN of Nepal
• Bishnu Shrestha – Nepali Soldier in Indian Army
• Sadichha Shrestha – Miss Nepal 2010
• Shristi Shrestha – Miss Nepal World 2012
• Nagma Shrestha – Miss Nepal Earth 2012
• Ishani Shrestha – Miss Nepal World 2013